chapter 4
509 Words
Chapter 4: Punishment
Nyra had been in the palace for less than a day.
And she had already insulted a merchant, argued with the Crown Prince, and provoked a princess.
The servants agreed on one thing.
She wouldn't survive the week.
The servants' quarters were quiet.
Nyra sat by the window, staring outside.
A maid rushed into the room.
"P-Prince Zarek has summoned you."
Nyra sighed.
"Already?"
The maid looked horrified.
"You should be worried."
"I am."
The maid blinked.
Nyra stood.
"I'm worried I'll die of boredom."
The maid nearly choked.
Ten minutes later, Nyra was escorted into a large training courtyard.
Soldiers lined the walls.
Servants whispered nervously.
At the center stood Prince Zarek Nightbane.
His hands were clasped behind his back.
His silver eyes were cold.
Nyra approached.
"You wanted to see me?"
"You disobeyed a princess."
"So?"
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
Zarek's gaze sharpened.
"So you will be punished."
Nyra folded her arms.
"For defending myself?"
"For forgetting your place."
Silence fell.
The prince pointed toward a pile of wooden buckets.
"Fill every water barrel in the palace."
Nyra followed his finger.
There were dozens.
Maybe hundreds.
Her eye twitched.
"You're joking."
"I don't joke."
The soldiers immediately looked away.
Everyone knew that was true.
Nyra stared at the mountain of work.
Then back at Zarek.
"You're cruel."
"I know."
The answer was immediate.
Without shame.
Without apology.
Nyra hated him instantly.
The prince turned away.
"Finish before sunrise."
Then he left.
Just like that.
Hours passed.
Nyra carried water until her arms trembled.
Bucket after bucket.
Step after step.
The sun disappeared.
The moon rose.
Still she worked.
Servants passing by stared in disbelief.
Most people would have begged for mercy.
Nyra simply kept going.
Complaining the entire time.
"I hope his boots fall apart."
Splash.
"I hope birds attack him."
Splash.
"I hope he trips down a staircase."
Splash.
A few servants struggled not to laugh.
Near midnight, Nyra finally collapsed beside a fountain.
Exhausted.
Her hands hurt.
Her shoulders ached.
For the first time since arriving in Noctara, she felt completely defeated.
Then a shadow appeared beside her.
Nyra looked up.
Prince Zarek.
Of course.
Who else would ruin her evening?
"Come to admire your work?"
Zarek glanced at the filled barrels.
"You completed it."
"I considered drowning myself halfway through."
A few nearby guards nearly laughed.
Then remembered who was present.
Zarek stared at her.
Most people would've quit.
Most people would've begged.
Nyra had done neither.
Interesting.
Again.
The prince turned to leave.
Then paused.
Without looking back, he spoke.
"Report to the east courtyard tomorrow."
Nyra frowned.
"For what?"
"More punishment."
And then he walked away.
Nyra grabbed a pebble and threw it at his back.
The pebble missed by several feet.
A guard gasped.
Zarek didn't even turn around.
But for a brief moment...
The corner of his mouth lifted.
The smallest hint of amusement.
Then it was gone.
Nyra groaned.
She had a terrible feeling that life in the palace was about to become much worse.
- Writer
